Tagged: Hart
Brewers (10) vs. Pirates (4) 8/22 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Brewers offense–Woke up from an early slumber in a big way. Weeks, Hardy, Braun, Hart, and Cameron all had key contributions. One of the great things to see was the opposite field hits. Weeks’ triple, J.J.’s home run, and Cameron’s home run all came to the opposite field. Those three guys are pretty locked in right now.
Ryan Braun–Manufactured a run mostly by himself in the 7th. Doubled down the line, then stole third on the next pitch. The Pirates brought the infield in and Fielder hit a smash right at Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez. Braun started back towards third, then when Sanchez loligagged with the ball and took his time getting it to first, Braun took off for home and made it safely without a throw. Impressive baserunning.
Dave Bush–Once again gave up early runs, including a two out RBI by the pitcher, and had me wondering if he was reverting back to his old ways. But he came up big and pounded the strike zone while hitting his spots to make it through 7 innings.
Less Filling:
A 10-4 win….everyone gets a pass. Go Brewers!
Brewers (9) vs. Astros (3) 8/18 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
CC Sabathia–Had to work a little harder to get outs, but came through with another sparkling performance. Plus he added a couple big runs with his bat. Not something that you plan on with any pitcher, but when they can make positive contributions at the plate it is only a good thing.
Corey Hart–Narrowly missed a two home run day but “settled” for three hits including a double and home run, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored. His average is slowly creeping back up toward .300. If Corey can pick up some of the slack if Braun misses more time that would be huge.
Ray Durham–3 hits including a couple doubles and also drove in 3 runs. Its good to know that if Weeks can’t go, we don’t have to rely on Counsell every day at second.
Jason Kendall–2 for 3 with a walk and 3 runs scored. His hits weren’t exactly screamers, but they got the job done.
Less Filling:
Ned Yost–Apparently he’s trying to maintain a permanent place in the Less Filling section. I hate to bring it up since we’re winning, but is Ned Yost’s brain freezing up like it did down the stretch last year? First he brings Shouse in to start the 9th inning on Saturday instead of your closer Torres. Then he inexplicably pitches to Manny Ramirez in the 7th inning yesterday. And now he throws CC out there to run his pitch count up to 130 in the 9th inning of a 7 run game. I mean what benefit comes from putting CC out there again? It saves the bullpen? Haven’t we heard over and over how rested they are lately? So you’d rather have CC run the risk of getting burnt out than Mota pitching on a ton of rest? He allowed CC to load the bases twice in the 9th inning of a blowout win, yet didn’t take him out. Its these kinds of in-game decisions that he started screwing up last year when the pressure got on in August and September, and it looks like its starting again.
Brewers (7) @ Padres (1) 8/13 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
CC Sabathia–Starting to run out of superlatives to describe the job CC has done this year. This is the first time since his first start (perhaps the Cubs game as well) where you could say CC didn’t have his A+ stuff. He had more like B+ stuff today, but that is good enough for 7 innings and only 1 run. The way he’s pitching right now you just wonder how anyone can score a run off him.
Corey Hart–Picking up the slack for his injured outfield mate Ryan Braun. Came through big with 3 hits, including the bases clearing triple that broke the game open in the 5th.
Prince Fielder–Somewhat quietly he’s catching up to Braun for the home run lead on the team. You get the feeling he could hit 12 or 15 home runs this month or next. He just needs to keep making solid contact and not worrying about killing the ball every time. You just hope he doesn’t fall into the trap of trying to hit home runs every at bat and lose sight of being a good hitter.
Less Filling:
There were a few guys that struggled, but when you win 7 to 1 on the road it is a pretty good overall team effort.
Brewers (7) vs. Nationals (1) 8/11 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Dave Bush–Has bounced back nicely in his last two starts after getting beat up pretty good in his first two starts after the Break. As I said after his last start, all he’s gotta do is keep his ERA between 4.00 and 4.50 the rest of the way and we’ll be happy.
Corey Hart–Played a good overall game. A couple hits including the go-ahead home run plus a steal. I was excited when he hit that home run, despite the fact the team I’m playing in one of my fantasy leagues has him on his team. Always gotta root for the Brewers first!
Less Filling:
Strikeouts–Garrett Mock posted a career-high of 9 strikeouts in only 4 2/3 innings and the Brewers struck out a total of 14 times. I wasn’t able to watch the game, so I couldn’t tell what kind of stuff the Nats pitchers had, but 14 is too high against anyone.
Brewers (6) vs. Nationals (0) 8/9 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Ben Sheets–Don’t adjust your computer screen folks, the Brewers did pitch back to back complete game shutouts. Just like with Sabathia, Sheets can add several million dollars to his free agent contract with outings like this. Didn’t seem to have great velocity, but his curveball was really working and he located well. Also got a Duck Flare base hit to score a run.
J.J. Hardy–Looks like he’s back from that 0 for 28 slump. Two hits and a home run in two straight games.
Ray Durham–On base three times including his first home run as a Brewer. I would have liked Rickie to stay in and continue his hot hitting, but Durham certainly produced well today.
Corey Hart–After three times hitting the ball deep and having the Nats make great plays to rob him of extra base hits in this series, Corey decided he’d hit it far enough they couldn’t come close.
Less Filling:
Ned Yost–Is tomorrow the day he gets out of the Less Filling column by giving Kendall the day off? Or does he get stubborn and run him out there just to spite the critics who have asked him about it lately? The latter wouldn’t surprise me.
Brewers (8) @ Reds (1) 8/5 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Dave Bush–All signs pointed to a bad outing. He doesn’t pitch well on the road, gets beat up by Cincinatti, and in that bandbox of a ballpark his pitches up could get hammered. But Bush managed to fenagle his way out of a jam in the first and cruised pretty easily from there. His season ERA is back to 4.50. If he can keep it in that 4.25 to 4.65 area for the season it will be a huge boost for the back end of our rotation.
Prince Fielder–Gotta give him credit for manning up and addressing the dugout dust-up yesterday. He said most of the right things, and I did gain back some of the respect I lost for him. He proceeded to take his frustration out on the opposition with a tape measure blast.
JJ Hardy–Broke an 0 for 28 slump with a douple hits. Good to see him get back on track.
Ryan Braun–Picked up his 16th three hit game, which leads the National League.
Corey Hart–Picked up a couple big early extra base hits with runners in scoring position that gave them some early momentum.
Jason Kendall–Actually drove the ball to left-center for an extra base hit. I can’t remember the last time we saw that. Also picked up a late RBI on a base hit to right. Still needs a day off though.
Less Filling:
A pretty well rounded game by the Brewers, so no one finds themselves here.
Brewers (6) vs. Astros (4) 7/26 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Ray Durham–Welcome to Milwaukee Ray Ray. A couple doubles, a walk, 3 runs scored.
Ryan Braun–Stud! Only went 1 for 2 but had a couple sacrifice flies and then of course the big fly in the 7th to tie it up.
Corey Hart–Awoke from his week long slumber to finally do something positive for the team. Doubled in the 8th to set-up the winning run.
Bill Hall–Had a nice approach trying to hit the ball the other way to move the runner over, and managed to get a hit to score the winning run. Later scored to give the Brewers an insurance run.
Less Filling:
Dave Bush–Coming off multiple quality outings in a row, wasn’t nearly as sharp. Credit Ned Yost some for screwing him up with this whole “pitching platoon”.
Brewers (4) @ Cardinals (3) 7/24 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
Ben Sheets–Didn’t seem like he had great stuff, but kept the Brewers in it nonetheless. Definetly got stronger and better as the game went on.
Ryan Braun–What else can you say about this guy that hasn’t been said already? And Braunie, you watch that bomb as long as you damn well please. Also raised his batting average to .301
JJ Hardy–Quietly went 3 for 5 and scored two runs. He also raised his average to .300.
Prince Fielder–Is heating up; is a home run binge far behind?
Less Filling:
Corey Hart–Wow, that has to be the worst game played by a position player since Dan Uggla’s All-Star debacle. Grounded into two double plays in key situations, nearly grounded into a third with the bases loaded, left 9 runners on base, made a poor throw on Pujols’ sac fly, and committed a ridiculous error that allowed the Cardinals to score a free run. I love ya Corey, but you need to get some stuff figured out and quick. That’s 16 men left on base in the last two games. If he has even an average game today it would have made a 2-3 run difference with a lot more breathing room for us.
Brewers hitting with runners on–This has quietly been a problem all year, and even showed its head on this road trip. The Brewers have left a lot of men on in nearly every game of the trip. Even the games they scored quite a few runs they still had a lot more baserunners they stranded. Hopefully this doesn’t become a bigger concern and they can improve. Last night they had 17 baserunners (10 hits, 7 walks) but only managed 4 runs.
The Brewers are 14th in the NL in batting average with runners in scoring position at .247 and 13th in the league in BA with runners in scoring position at .226. One silver lining I guess is that they are third in Close & Late situations at .266. This is defined as the 7th inning or later with the team ahead by one run, tied, or the tying run at least on deck.
Brewers (3) @ Cardinals (0) 7/23 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
CC Sabathia–One of the most dominating performances of the year for any pitcher. The Cardinals had no shot against CC tonight. It was a pretty significant package we gave up for him, but he sure has paid off so far.
Ryan Braun–Oh how I love thee, let me count the ways. There’s certainly been no post All-Star/Home Run Derby slump for Ryan. He’s gotten stronger. Showed incredible power and ability to hit to all fields. Also showed the speed that could make him a 30/30 performer if he ever learned how to be a base-stealer and wasn’t kept in place by hitting in front of Prince.
JJ Hardy–In a tight battle with Braun to see who’s the hotter hitter since the All-Star break. His home run opened the floodgates a bit and you could feel that with CC on the mound he’d make it hold up.
Rickie Weeks–Has really been heating up lately. Maybe the Durham trade will serve as the kick in the pants he got last year by being sent down.
Less Filling:
Corey Hart–Not often that he appears here, but left 7 men on base. Doesn’t look good since the break.
Brewers (6) @ Cardinals (3) 7/21 — Tastes Great, Less Filling
Tastes Great:
JJ Hardy–4 hits today with an RBI, but somehow didn’t score a run as Braun, Fielder, and Hart didn’t have very good days.
Rickie Weeks offense–His 3-run homer was huge obviously. He also got a key hit that ended up scoring Kendall on a throwing error. Did leave men on base two other times though. But all in all gotta be happy with his performance. We’ll take 2 for 5 with a walk, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored any day of the week.
Jason Kendall–Just when it looked like he was running out of gas and going way downhill he comes up with 3 hits and scores a run.
Bill Hall–3 for 5 with that HUGE home run in the 10th. Gotta love the result, but I would prefer to see him hit that outside slider to right-center instead of hooking it into left-center. He has been heating up quite a bit lately though.
Mota/Gagne/Riske–I’ll admit, I was pissed and nervous when Mota came into a close game but he and the others got the job done.
Less Filling:
Ned Yost–I feel Ned cost us a tack-on run in the 8th when he didn’t have Cameron bunt Hall over to third with no outs. Kendall up next drove one into right-center that Ankiel misplayed, but Hall correctly was going back to tag up and couldn’t get in. The Brewers proceeded to strand runners on second and third and weren’t able to get that tack-on run. Ned needs to realize one run is as big as 3 in that situation and play it accordingly.
Rickie Weeks defense–Didn’t get charged with errors, but had two plays he should have made in the 9th that would have closed it out instead of having to go into extra innings.
Braun/Cameron–Went a combined 0 for 11. Ouch.
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